Tag Archives: brides

For the modern bride who is searching for a headpiece to complement her pearls that is less traditional than the classic long veil, birdcage veils and other bridal headpieces can provide a charmingly unconventional alternative. Birdcage veils in particular provide the retro look that is sultry with bold, red lipstick or sweet when combined with a vintage gown. Celebrities have been seen wearing them on movie sets and during their own weddings. Jessica Alba wore a birdcage veils during her recent film The Fantastic Four, Reese Witherspoon lit up the set of Sweet Home Alabama and Katherine Heigl chose a birdcage for her nuptials featured on the cover of OK! Magazine.

These small confections of lace, feathers, silk flowers and netting can get expensive, however, due to the craftsmanship involved in the composition and construction. Many headpieces retail for $100 or more! But it is possible to find good quality examples, and below are several of the best under $50 for the budget bride who still wants to channel vintage glam on her wedding day.

The creative and skillful sellers on Etsy are a great place to find reasonably priced bridal headpieces. The sweet blusher above from BrendasBridalVeils seems an almost fairytale bargain at $49.99, complete with fascinator (the lovely, evocative name for the clip decorated with flowers and feathers that holds the veil in place). Birdcage veils are a fabulous, unfussy way to show off bridal jewelry, showcase a complicated neckline or give your stylish up-do its due. An aesthetic consideration when choosing your birdcage or headpiece is the other elements of your ensemble: are you carrying white magnolias in your bouquet? Consider a headpiece that incorporates magnolias. Are you wearing a strand of pearls as an elegant, timeless necklace or looped to form a creamy, studded, cuff bracelet? Search for a fascinator that features pearls in its design. For a tasteful statement look that would be perfect for the bride or even a favorite member of the wedding party, look no further than the “Bella Pulito” design by Etsy seller Bella Donna.

The creamy peach of the central blossom could flatter a wedding gown in a non-traditional color, or the white fabric leaves could complement a white gown and let the blossom merely complement the bride’s blush! This adorable bit of accoutrement clocks in at just $40. For the daring bride, there are far more option than peaches, creams and whites on the market today. Spunky seller CausticThreads offers this fearless gem for a bride looking for the finishing touch on a truly memorable bridal ensemble. The black-and-blush colored silk poppy combined with the cameo center and black netting make sultry combination for $45.

Etsy is not the only place to find affordable headpieces and birdcage veils. A local favorite for Dallas-area brides is Emma’s Bridal Boutique in Red Oak, TX for brides who like to try before they buy. The “Russian Net” design featured below is $47 and perfect for brides with an eye for detail: the net of the veil is embellished with tiny, winking crystals (a perfect pairing for a pearl necklace with crystals)!

And lastly, for those ultra-crafty, do-it-yourself types, blogmistress The Hip Hostess describes how to make a birdcage veil yourself! The total cost of her DIY veil is $40, but the price will vary a great deal depending on the price of the materials you use, of course! Silk flowers and feathers are always beautiful, but I also suggest hunting for the vintage and unusual fascinator centerpiece estates sales and pawn shops. The jewelry that you use to create your headpiece need not be permanently sacrificed: if you use a pearl ring or pearl earrings, consider sewing the centerpiece in place rather than gluing. In the end, when making your headpiece you are only limited by your own creativity! Wedding dresses and wedding jewelry comes in many different looks and styles, so I encourage you to use the resources from this post to find the perfect final touch to complete the look from head to toe.

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